Editor's picks

  • Review

    Genomic instability and eye diseases

    Background

    Genetic information is stored in the bases of double-stranded DNA. However, the integrity of DNA molecules is constantly threatened by various mutagenic agents, including pollutants, ultraviolet light (UV), and medications. To counteract these environmental damages, cells have established multiple mechanisms, such as producing molecules to identify and eliminate damaged DNA, as well as reconstruct the original DNA structures. Failure or insufficiency of these mechanisms can cause genetic instability. However, the role of genome stability in eye diseases is still under-researched, despite extensive study in cancer biology.

    Main text

    As the eye is directly exposed to the external environment, the genetic materials of ocular cells are constantly under threat. Some of the proteins essential for DNA damage repair, such as pRb, p53, and RAD21, are also key during the ocular disease development. In this review, we discuss five ocular diseases that are associated with genomic instability. Retinoblastoma and pterygium are linked to abnormal cell cycles. Fuchs’ corneal endothelial dystrophy and age-related macular degeneration are related to the accumulation of DNA damage caused by oxidative damage and UV. The mutation of the subunit of the cohesin complex during eye development is linked to sclerocornea.

    Conclusions

    Failure of DNA damage detection or repair leads to increased genomic instability. Deciphering the role of genomic instability in ocular diseases can lead to the development of new treatments and strategies, such as protecting vulnerable cells from risk factors or intensifying damage to unwanted cells.

    Hongyan Liu,Jun Cheng,Xiaoyun Zhuang,Benxiang Qi,Fenfen Li,Bining Zhang

    2023-11-15

  • Review

    Genetic and epigenetic regulators of retinal Müller glial cell reprogramming

    Background

    Retinal diseases characterized with irreversible loss of retinal nerve cells, such as optic atrophy and retinal degeneration, are the main causes of blindness. Current treatments for these diseases are very limited. An emerging treatment strategy is to induce the reprogramming of Müller glial cells to generate new retinal nerve cells, which could potentially restore vision.

    Main text

    Müller glial cells are the predominant glial cells in retinae and play multiple roles to maintain retinal homeostasis. In lower vertebrates, such as in zebrafish, Müller glial cells can undergo cell reprogramming to regenerate new retinal neurons in response to various damage factors, while in mammals, this ability is limited. Interestingly, with proper treatments, Müller glial cells can display the potential for regeneration of retinal neurons in mammalian retinae. Recent studies have revealed that dozens of genetic and epigenetic regulators play a vital role in inducing the reprogramming of Müller glial cells in vivo. This review summarizes these critical regulators for Müller glial cell reprogramming and highlights their differences between zebrafish and mammals.

    Conclusions

    A number of factors have been identified as the important regulators in Müller glial cell reprogramming. The early response of Müller glial cells upon acute retinal injury, such as the regulation in the exit from quiescent state, the initiation of reactive gliosis, and the re-entry of cell cycle of Müller glial cells, displays significant difference between mouse and zebrafish, which may be mediated by the diverse regulation of Notch and TGFβ (transforming growth factor-β) isoforms and different chromatin accessibility.

    Xueqi Xiao,Zhiyong Liao,Jian Zou

    2023-11-15

  • Review

    Research progress of iron metabolism in retinal diseases

    Background

    Retinal diseases can lead to severe visual impairment and even blindness, but current treatments are limited. For precise targeted therapy, the pathophysiological mechanisms of the diseases still need to be further explored. Iron serves an essential role in many biological activities and helps maintain the function and morphology of the retina. The vision problems caused by retinal diseases are affecting more and more people, the study of iron metabolism in retinal diseases possesses great potential for clinical application.

    Main text

    Iron maintains a dynamic balance in the retina but in excess is toxic to the retina. Iron overload can lead to various pathological changes in the retina through oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death, angiogenesis and other pathways. It is therefore involved in the progression of retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, and hereditary iron overload. In recent years, iron chelators have been shown to be effective in the treatment of retinal diseases, but the exact mechanism is not yet fully understood. This question prompted further investigation into the specific mechanisms by which iron metabolism is involved in retinal disease.

    Conclusions

    This review summarizes iron metabolism processes in the retina and mechanistic studies of iron metabolism in the progression of retinal disease. It also highlights the therapeutic potential of iron chelators in retinal diseases.

    Cunzi Li,Chunyu Xiao,Hui Tao,Xianling Tang

    2023-11-15

  • Artificial intelligence and deep learning in ophthalmology: Current status and future perspectives

    Background

    The ophthalmology field was among the first to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine. The availability of digitized ocular images and substantial data have made deep learning (DL) a popular topic.

    Main text

    At the moment, AI in ophthalmology is mostly used to improve disease diagnosis and assist decision-making aiming at ophthalmic diseases like diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract and other anterior segment diseases. However, most of the AI systems developed to date are still in the experimental stages, with only a few having achieved clinical applications. There are a number of reasons for this phenomenon, including security, privacy, poor pervasiveness, trust and explainability concerns.

    Conclusions

    This review summarizes AI applications in ophthalmology, highlighting significant clinical considerations for adopting AI techniques and discussing the potential challenges and future directions.

    Kai Jin,Juan Ye

    2023-11-15
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Latest articles

  • 2024-05-29

  • TOC

    2024-05-29

  • Letter to the Editor

    Lin Lin,Yirui Zhu,Kelan Yuan,Yujie Mou,Hanhe Zhao,Yayin Wu,Xiuming Jin

    | 2024-05-29

  • Letter to the Editor

    Nina Asrini Noor,Johan Hutauruk,Tjahjono D. Gondhowiardjo

    | 2024-05-29

  • Letter to the Editor

    Anjana Christy Alexander,Suprithy Somineni Raghupathy,Krishna Mohan Surapaneni

    | 2024-05-29

  • Review

    摘要：BackgroundDegenerate eye disorders, such as glaucoma, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are prevalent causes of blindness and visual impairment worldwide. Other eye disorders, including limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), dry eye diseases (DED), and retinitis pigmentosa (RP), result in symptoms such as ocular discomfort and impaired visual function, significantly impacting quality of life. Traditional therapies are limited, primarily focus on delaying disease progression, while emerging stem cell therapy directly targets ocular tissues, aiming to restore ocular function by reconstructing ocular tissue.Main textThe utilization of stem cells for the treatment of diverse degenerative ocular diseases is becoming increasingly significant, owing to the regenerative and malleable properties of stem cells and their functional cells. Currently, stem cell therapy for ophthalmopathy involves various cell types, such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and retinal progenitor cells (RPCs). In the current article, we will review the current progress regarding the utilization of stem cells for the regeneration of ocular tissue covering key eye tissues from the cornea to the retina. These therapies aim to address the loss of functional cells, restore damaged ocular tissue and or in a paracrine-mediated manner. We also provide an overview of the ocular disorders that stem cell therapy is targeting, as well as the difficulties and opportunities in this field.ConclusionsStem cells can not only promote tissue regeneration but also release exosomes to mitigate inflammation and provide neuroprotection, making stem cell therapy emerge as a promising approach for treating a wide range of eye disorders through multiple mechanisms.  

    Yifei Niu,Junfeng Ji,Ke Yao,Qiuli Fu

    | 2024-05-29
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